Pippins General Manager Danny Tetzlaff Stepping Down

Yakima Valley Pippins general manager Danny Tetzlaff is stepping down and returning to his home in North Carolina after one season with the record-breaking expansion West Coast League team.

The Pippins announced Tetzlaff's decision in a Friday afternoon news release.

Zachary Fraser, president of Pacific Baseball Ventures, which owns of the club, praised Tetzlaff's work.

Yakima Valley Pippins

"Danny was the right guy to make sure our first season ran as smoothly as it did. I'm grateful my friend was able to be a part of such a magical start to Pippins baseball," Fraser said in the release. "Danny and I had reached agreement on terms for the 2015 season, but unfortunately, we can't change geography."

In addition to overseeing the wrap-up of a $150,000 face-lift of Yakima County Stadium, Tetzlaff took a key role in training the stadium staff and helped the Pippins establish community connections.

During his season with the team, the Pippins made WCL history by being the first expansion team to win their division.

"I'm grateful for the chance to be a part of the Pippins amazing first season," Tetzlaff said in the Pippins release. "Yakima is a special community and poised to be the best market in the WCL. I will miss this market and my friends here, but need to be closer to my family in North Carolina. It's tough to change a 3,000-mile gap."

Meantime, the Pippins are gearing up for the 2015 season, which opens June 5. Season tickets are already on sale, and the team's offices and retail store are open year-round at State Fair Park.

For more information on the team, tickets or on hosting players, visit www.pippinsbaseball.com, call 509-575-HITS (4487) or email them at info@pippinsbaseball.com.